How Angela broke into the Breakers

ANGELA REAKES’ passion for cricket has earned her a spot in the NSW Breakers.

After playing cricket with for Bangalow before joining the men’s side in Lennox Head in 2006, she moved up through school and State representative teams, and was placed in the Breakers team just three weeks ago.

“I used to get some funny looks when I told people what sport I played, but I didn’t know any different,” Reakes said.

“The best thing about playing with the boys is that I developed an attitude where I can stand up to a challenge, and the majority of the men at Lennox Head were quite supportive.”

Reakes, 18, said her time in the local competition prepared her well for playing for the Breakers.

“It’s exciting to play with the girls, the game is a lot different, so you have to adapt the way you play which is a challenge,” she said.

After defeating the Queensland side in all three games, the Breakers will be challenging the ACT Meteors this weekend, hoping to improve their current second place on the ladder.

But with exams for her human movement course at University of Technology Sydney finishing just this week, Reakes hasn’t been able to fit in extra training.

“I’m still training like I normally would, but because of exams I haven’t been able to do all the extra training I want,” she said.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time to come out with the best results.”

And with eight players from the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in the NSW side, Reakes has plenty of mentors.

“It’s so good having a few Australian reps in the Breakers, because you try to lift yourself to their level of playing,” she said.

“The captain is also a spinner, so she gives me some game tactics.”

But Reakes, formerly of Knockrow, said it was her parents who she really had to thank for getting her to where she is.

“I owe my parents a lot, especially over the last year,” she said.

“Especially with them coming down to watch me play, they have come to Sydney twice in the past two weeks.”